Weight shelf



Patented Aug. 8, 195!) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WEIGHT SHELF Earl J. OBryan "and David Bell, Detroit, .Mich. Application November 24, I948, Serial No. 61.,"806

2 Claims. i.

This invention relates to dispensing devices, and more particularly a new and improved dispensing shelf for use with balance weights, or the like.

Most pharmacists in the preparation and compounding of medicines prescribed by physicians use what is known as a balance scale in order to accurately weigh the various ingredients that go to make up the prescription. With this type of scale it is necessary to use what is known as balance weights which are placed on one pan of the scale to offset the ingredient being weighed in the other pan of the scale. These small metallic weights are usually designated in grams and are easily misplaced by the user if allowed to lie about the work table of the user. To remedy this condition we have provided a new and improved shelf which may be located in close proximity to the work being carried on, and so located that the users may readily see the various weights, and when needed, quickly dispense the same into the hand, for use upon the scale.

The above and other objects will appear more fully from the following more detailed description, and from the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view showing the shelf fastened to a wall.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the shelf, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4- of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the releasing clips.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral Ill designates the shelf per so which comprises a solid bar-like member formed of steel, aluminum, plastic, or the like, of sufficient depth to receive a plurality Of weights. Each end of the shelf is shaped to form a flange or tab I I, which tabs in turn have an opening drilled therein [2, adapted to receive screws l3 which hold the shelf to a wall M, or other supporting means. As shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the entire shelf is tilted downwardly from the wall 14, to-

enable the user to view from the top the contents thereof, the shelf being placed above the work table upon which the scale is also supported, a sufficient height to allow the user, when sitting or standing, to look down into same.

The shelf Ii] has formed therein a plurality of openings I5, said openings being of equal diameter and uniformly spaced along the shelf. As shown in Fig. 4, the back of shelf ll! has a portion thereof cut-away, as at 16, the entire length of the shelf, said cut-away portion being adapted to receive a rod member H, which in turn is held in place by means of two screws 18, which pass through rod I! and into shelf l0, one screw at each end of rod H.

To form a bottom for each opening l5, there is provided a resilient spring-like bottom member l9, shown best in Fig. 5, the same being curved or bent as at 28, to fit over bar [7 between the bar and top of cut-away portion 16, Fig. 4, the front portion 2| being bent to form a suitable finger control release tab. As shown in Fig. 3, each opening I5 is provided with a bottom memher I 9 to enclose the same and form a bottom rest for the weights 22. Each clip 19 is in vertical alignment with opening I5 50 that the opening is fully covered and the clip may be quickly disengaged from the shelf proper for repair or replacement.

When the user desires a certain weight he has simply to press downwardly on portion 2| of the bottom tab member with one finger, palm upturned. The bottom member being resilient and snugly mounted between rod l! and the top of cut-away portion IS, the same will flex downwardly from opening l5 and allow the weight resting upon said bottom in that particular opening, to drop into the upturned palm of the user, ready for use upon the scale pan. When hand pressure is released from the tab, the tab being hinged as explained above, snaps back and forms a bottom closure for opening it, and the opening is again in readiness to receive its particular weight, the weight being set into the opening l5 from the top.

There has been herein disclosed a new and unique weight shelf device that is simple of construction, yet invaluable to the pharmacist, or the like, in his daily prescription work. Weights are always in full view and in their proper place ready for instant use. There is nothing to get out of order, but should one or more of the tabs forming the bottom closures, lose their resiliency, the same may be quickly replaced by simply detaching the old tab from its securing rod and slipping in a new one.

While we have described and illustrated a satisfactory device that has proven highly successful in practical operation, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to specific constructional details shown and described, but that many changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the principles of our invention.

We claim:

1. A weight shelf of the class described comprising a frame member having a portion thereof removed, a rod member secured within said removed portion of said frame, a plurality of openings through said frame to receive a plurality of weights, a plurality of bottom closure members vertically aligned with said frame openings and so formed that a portion thereof en-' a plurality of weights, a plurality of resilient closure members for said frame openings formed to provide a portion thereof to detachably engage said rod member and the forward portion of said closure members being formed to provide a finger engaging member.

EARL J. OBRYAN.

DAVID BELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,698,955 Lutfring Jan. 15, 1929 2,414,567 Thorp Jan. 21, 1947 

